A quite young man is driven away from his hometown because of his black moods (somekind of mental illness or possession), and goes to Darjiin to work as a Cart-puller. (Don't really know if there really are those, just assuming.) He sees all kinds of shit around him, people taking drugs, cops taking bribes, whores, cutthroats, people who don't care about anyone, no trust or smile anywhere.
He manages to get to know someone with close relations to a politician, who is working to get a post as police's supervisor. This politician promises the higher-class people a way out of the scum of the streets, by raising taxes from the unemployed and generally, by driving the worse-off folks to the corner. Police force would also be increased (maybe the politician is from Ulifilas, too.) The young man gets to talk to the politician as he is taking a drive, and he finds out that politicians target is primarily money, and cleaning the dirt out of the street would just be a side-effect.
Young man (Travis, if you like) gets sick. He can't live no more, when the whole town is making sin against Yelm the Emperor. He decides (or maybe he is possessed) that Shargash needs to purify the earth, wash it with blood and sanctify it with ashes and death. Travis leaves in a moment from the Deezola's temple and takes off to Alkoth, to pound the Drum of Doom. For added excitement, a nurse has heard Travis speaking while in his feverish fits about what he plans to do, but dismissed 'em as just nightmares. When Travis went, he maybe left a note, or said something to a guard, about 'Bringing Cleanser and Justice.'
Nurse talks to his/her priest(ess), who realizes what the lad is about to do (his state was really bad, and she believes that in his insanity Travis might pound the drum.) Priest(ess) tells about this to the beforementioned politician, who then launchs a hurried chase to stop this mass-murder from happening. Populace does not need to know, he thinks, especially as election is coming. Or he wants to save his deed as a last card to play. (Or if people do not get to vote, maybe he wants to impress the council with it.)
There is no fixed end for this. Maybe the lad is killed on the way, and his relatives in Ulifilas sue the politician. Maybe Drum starts to sound the music of death over Alkoth, and Darjiin will be put to the fire (unless Red Army prevents this.) For those, who are interested in politics of the Empire, feel free to abuse this.
Panu Pasanen.
Powered by hypermail